Hunting Lane Films Acquires 'Coward' Graphic Novel

"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" helmer David Slade is attached to direct the adaptation of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' crime comic.

Hunting Lane Films has acquired the rights to Coward, a graphic novel written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Sean Phillips. Brubaker will adapt the screenplay, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse helmer David Slade is attached to direct. Sierra / Affinity will finance and rep international sales rights to the project.

The first book in the Criminal series, Coward focuses on a master thief trawling a gritty urban underground of hustlers and crooked cops. Marvel Comics' Icon imprint publishes the books.

"This is such an iconic comic, and I have been a fan of Ed's for years," said Hunting Lane founder Jamie Patricof. "With David Slade now attached, we have a clear vision for what the film will be and it is really exciting.”

Repped by WME and Anonymous Content, Slade directed Hard Candy and the adaptation of the graphic novel 30 Days of Night.

Brubaker has been a writer on the Captain America comic at Marvel, and Fox optioned his graphic novel Incognito.

Hunting Lane has produced the critically acclaimed indies Half Nelson, Sugar and Blue Valentine. Its next project is The Place Beyond the Pines, starring Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper.